Crushed grain, often referred to in biblical texts, plays a significant role in the agricultural and daily life of ancient Israel. It is a product of the threshing process, where harvested grain is separated from the chaff and then ground or crushed to produce flour for bread-making, a staple in the diet of the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. Preparation and Use:
Crushed grain is frequently mentioned in the context of food preparation. In the book of Genesis, we see an early reference to grain in the account of Joseph, who stored grain during the seven years of plenty to prepare for the coming famine (Genesis 41:48-49). Although not explicitly stated as "crushed," the implication is that the stored grain would be processed for consumption.

2. Offerings and Sacrifices:
In the sacrificial system outlined in the Mosaic Law, crushed grain is used in various offerings. Leviticus 2:14-16 describes the grain offering: "If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire, grain from the first harvest." This offering signifies dedication and gratitude to God, acknowledging His provision.

3. Symbolism and Metaphor:
Crushed grain also serves as a metaphor for judgment and purification. In Isaiah 28:28, the prophet speaks of the process of threshing and crushing grain as a means of refining: "Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed; though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it." This imagery illustrates God's discipline, which, while thorough, is not intended to destroy but to purify and prepare His people.

4. Daily Sustenance:
The importance of crushed grain in daily sustenance is evident in the account of Ruth. In Ruth 2:14, Boaz invites Ruth to eat bread and dip it in vinegar, a meal likely made from crushed grain. This scene highlights the provision and kindness extended to Ruth, a Moabite, within the covenant community of Israel.

5. Prophetic Imagery:
In the New Testament, Jesus uses agricultural imagery, including grain, to convey spiritual truths. In John 12:24, He states, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Here, the process of crushing and transformation symbolizes His impending death and the resulting spiritual harvest.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, the process of crushing grain was labor-intensive, often involving tools like millstones or mortars and pestles. The resulting flour was essential for making bread, a primary food source. The act of crushing grain was not only a practical necessity but also held spiritual significance, as seen in its use in offerings and its metaphorical applications in Scripture.

The reliance on grain and its derivatives underscores the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and their dependence on God's provision through the land. The imagery of crushed grain, therefore, permeates both the physical and spiritual dimensions of biblical teaching, reflecting themes of sustenance, sacrifice, and transformation.